Livestock water tank water temperature control apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for controlling the water temperature in a livestock tank is provided with a conduit including a solenoid valve for controlling the supply of water to the tank. A water level detector controls the valve operation to maintain a predetermined water level in the tank. A first electric heater, which may comprise an electric light bulb, is provided adjacent the valve for heating the valve to prevent freezing. A second electric heater is provided for heating the water in the tank. In one embodiment, the conduit, valve, water level detector and first and second heaters are supported by a closed housing arranged to be removably mounted in the tank from the top edge thereof. This embodiment also includes separate thermostats for controlling operation of each of the first and second heaters. In another embodiment, the conduit, water level detector, valve and first and second heaters are permanently mounted to the tank.

8 United States Patent [151 3,636,312 Dreher et al. [4 1 Jan; 18, 1972 54 LIVESTOCK WATER TANK WATER 2,479,355 8/1949 l-lemker 219 323 x TEMPERATURE CONTRQL 2,545,967 3/1951 Mickalek 119/80 X 2,570,694 10/1951 Langenbahm 119/73 X APPARATUS 2,665,366 1/1954 Cleveland 219/323 X [72] inventors: Robert F. Dreher, 7861 Kenwood; Albert 3,368,580 2/1968 Carter 119/78 X H. Dreher, 6873 Brighton Blvd, both of Commerce City, Colo. 80022 Primary Examiner-A. Bartis 1 Filed Feb 6 1970 Attorney-Richard D. Law

211 App]. No.: 9,156 [5 ABSTRACT An apparatus for controlling the water temperature in a [52] Us. 01 ..219/523, 1 19/73, 119/80, livestock tank is Provided with a conduit including a Solenoid 137/341, 138/33, 219/316, 219/331, 219/333 valve for controlling the supply of water to the tank. A water 51 Int. Cl ..A0lk 7/02,1-105b 3/06 level detector controls the valve Operation to maintain a [58] Field of Searchm" 219/523, 310 312, 316, 317 predetermined water level in the tank, A first electric heater,

219 31 323 324 333 535 331; 9 73 7 79 which may comprise an electric light bulb, iS provided ad- 80; 137/341; 138/32, 33 jacent the valve for heating the valve to prevent freezing. A second electric heater is provided for heating the water in the [56] References Cited tank. In one embodiment, the conduit, valve, water level detector and first and second heaters are supported by a closed UNITED STATES PATENTS housing arranged to be removably mounted in the tank from the top edge thereof. This embodiment also includes separate l,793,43l 2/1931 Pelmulder ..1 19/73 hermostats f controlling operation of each of the first and 2J33388 10/1938 Henderson 19/73 second heaters. in another embodiment, the conduit, water 21201190 5/1940 Keen 2l9/316 level detector, valve and first and second heaters are per- 2,390,475 12/1945 Thomas 219/535 manemly mounted to the tank 2,432,918 12/1947 McCaskell ....219/317 2,469,617 5/1949 Tippett ..1 19/73 X 5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 9 I 8 6 /5 I I'll fi I 4 0* :5 L J 7 2% PATENTEDJAM 8l972 3,636,312

SHEEIIUFZ W 3 H K INVENTORS ALBERT H.DREHER 4 ROBERT F. DREHER ATTORNEY Pmimsnmwmz 3.636.312

' SHEET 2 OF 2 /a C9 5 no.5

E g J 23 I /9 R 22 I l\/6 LTHERMOSTAT 54 FIG? 6 INVENTORS ALBERT H. DREHER ROBERT F. DREHER -msmosm 3/ ATTORNEY drink. Secondly, the livestock lose weight if they drink too much cold water. This weightless results since the animals normally take in a large quantity of water whenever they take a drink, and consequently the animals burn up a substantial amount of heat energy in bringing this water up to their body temperature.

Heretofore, apparatusfor providing heated drinking water for livestock have been devised. Generally, valve means were provided in such apparatus for controlling the level of the water in the apparatus. Frequently, ,however, such prior art apparatus did not operate reliably since the level central valve oftentimes froze. As a consequence,the apparatus would not function properly. Also, many water tank heaters are in adequately controlled as to temperature.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide an improved livestock-watering apparatus for providing heated drinking water which obviates the aforementioned disadvantage of the prior art by being characterized by automatic and reliable operation. i

It is further an object of the present invention to provide an improved livestock-watering apparatus for automatically providing heated drinking water which is characterized by having a nonfreezing, heated level control valve means.

It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide an improved livestock-watering apparatus for providing drinking water which is characterized by being operable to maintain the drinking water-at a predetermined.temperature.

In accomplishing these and other objects, there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a livestock water tank control apparatus including a water tank and valve means for-controlling. the supply of water thereto. Also provided isa water level indicator means for controlling the valve means so the water in the tank may be maintained at a predetermined level. First. heater means are provided adjacent the valvemeans for heating the valve means to prevent freezing. Second heater means are providedfor heating the water in the watering tank. Thermostat meansare normally provided in conjunction with either or both of the heater means for controlling their operation. Thereby, the drinking water may be maintained. at a predetermined temperature. Thus, there has been provided an improved livestock water tank control apparatus which automatically provides'heated drinking water.

A better understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying'drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top cutaway view of one embodiment of a porta- -ble livestock water tank control apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of one'form of rectangular watering tank with the control apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrated as detachably mounted thereon;

FIG. 4 is a'partial top view of a circular water tank with the control apparatus of FIG. 1 detachably mountedthereon;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the circuitry employed with the water level control valve means of the livestock water tank apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the circuitry employed with the, water-heating means of the livestock water tank apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the circuitry employed with the lamp used as heating means for the water flow control valve of the livestock-watering apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top cutaway view of another embodiment of livestock-watering apparatus, according to the present invention, permanently mounted on awater tank adapted therefor; and

FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 mounted on the water tank adapted therefor.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a livestock water tank control apparatus generally indicated by numeral 1. The apparatus 1 is enclosed in a housing 2, and the housing 2' is detachably mounted on a water trough or tank 3 by means of clamps 4. It is noted that in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 1 is mounted on the inside of the tank 3 with the lower portion of the housing 2 positioned'in the water 5 therein. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the apparatus 1 may be clamped on any standard or conventional watering tank 3 and-the tank 3 need not be specially constructed in order to use the apparatus 1.

The housing 2 of the apparatus 1 is formed'in the shape of a triangle when viewed from above, as in FIG. 1, and has its base 29 mounted adjacent the wall of the trough 3. A water supply or conduit means including a pipe 6 runs through the base 29 and is connected with the input side of a normally closed solenoid-operated valve 7. The output side of the valve 7 is connected to a supply hose or pipe means 8. The hose 8 extends across the interior of the housing 2 and extends through one of its sidewalls at a point above the level of the water 5 in the tank 3.

Positioned at the apex of the triangular housing 2 is a level control device 9. The level control device 9 includes, a chamber 10 with a float 15 therein. The float 15 is connected to a mechanical switch means 16 which, as is hereinafter explained, controls the operation of the solenoid-operated valve 7. An opening 17 is formed in the bottom wall of the housing 2 just below the chamber 10 so thatthe water 5 in the tank 3 has access to the chamber 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the mechanical switch 16 is connected in series with the solenoid-operated water flow control valve 7 across a conventional power source 24;

Mounted on the bottom wall of the housing 2 is a heater element 18. The heater element 18 is mounted on the outside of the housing 2 in order to extend into the water to heat the same. Also, mounted on the bottom wall of the housing 2 is a conventional thermostat 19 having its temperature-sensing element 20 positioned in the water 5 but spaced from the heater 18. A switchbox 21, including a off-on switch 22 is shown in FIG. 1. The switch 22 is connected in the circuit shown in FIG. 6 for controlling the energization of the waterheating means shown therein. The water-heating means shown in FIG. 6 includes the switch 22', the thermostat l9 and the heater l8.all connected in series across a conventional power source 23.

A lamp or heating element 30 is mounted on one wall of the housing 2 to provide means for heating the atmosphere in the housing 2, therebyto prevent the float 15 from freezing in the chamber 16 or the water control valve 7 from freezing in the water supply line. A conventional thermostat 31 having a temperature-sensing element 32 positioned in the interior of the housing 2 is also shown mounted on one sidewall of the housing 2. As shown: in FIG. 8, the lamp 30 is connected in series with an on-off switch 33 and the thermostat 31 across a conventional power source 34. The switch 33 is located in the switchbox 21 in the housing 2. A removable cover 35 for the housing 2 is further shown in FIG'. 2.

In operation, the livestock water tank control apparatus 1 may bepositioned in any empty watering tank 3 by clamping the clamps 4 on the sides thereof. The pipe 6 is then connected to a water supply and the power source 24 is connected across the mechanical switch 16 and the solenoidoperated valve 7. With no water in the tank 3, the float I5 is in its lower position and as a result the mechanical switch 16 is moved to its closed position. The solenoid operated valve 7 is then actuated to its open position and water 5 flows into the tank 3 through the hose 8. Waters continues to flow into the tank 3 until the desired level is reached whereat the float 15 is floated by the water 5 entering the chamber so as to move the mechanical switch 16 to its open position. Once the switch 16 opens, the solenoid-operated valve 7 is deenergized and moves to its normally closed position. With the valve 7 closed, water in the pipe 6 is blocked from the hose 8 and no more water is added to the tank 3. The level control means provided by the level control device 9 and the switch 16 then functions along with the valve 7 to maintain the water 5 in the tank 3 at a predetermined minimum level.

To insure that the level control means 1 or the valve 7 does not freeze, heating means in the formof the electric lamp 30 (preferably 40-100 watts) is energized by moving the switch 33 to its on position. The lamp 30 burns until the temperature inside the housing reaches a minimum predetermined level at which the thermostat 31 opens the electrical circuit between the lamp 30 and the power source 34. The lamp 30 then remains off until the temperature in the housing 2 falls below the predetermined level. Thus, the lamp 2 along with the thermostat 31 functions to maintain the temperature in the housing 2 at a predetermined minimum level.

By energizing the switch 22, the heater element 18 is energized to heat the drinking water 5 to a predetermined temperature. The heater element 18 is energized and continues to supply heat to the water 5 until the temperature-sensing element 20 senses the predetermined temperature. At that instant the thermostat 19 opens the electrical circuit between the heater element 18 and the power source 23. Thereafter, the heater element 18 along with the thermostat 20 functions to maintain the temperature of the water 5 at a predetermined minimum level.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the livestock water tank control apparatus 1 which is mounted on the outside por tion of a specially constructed water tank 3. Since all parts in the apparatus 1a shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are substantially identical with those of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-7, the same numbering system is used. The thermostats 19 and 31, however, are not incorporated in the apparatus 10. Additionally, openings 50 and 51 are formed in the walls of the specially constructed tank 3 for accommodating the hose 8 and providing a passage in communication with the chamber 10 for water 5 in the tank 3, respectively. The clamps 4 are further not necessary for the apparatus la since the apparatus la is permanently mounted on the wall of the tank 3. Also, the housing 2a preferably extends to the ground for heating the water supply pipe which is above ground.

In operation, the apparatus la functions similar to that of the aforedescribed apparatus 1. The one principal difference is that the switches 22 and 33 closed, the lamp 3 and the heater element continuously supply heat. Since no thermostats are included in the apparatus la, heat is supplied to the water 5 and the interior of the housing 1 regardless of temperature. Such an arrangement may be desirable in very cold climates where there was no danger of the water 5 or the housing 2 becoming too hot.

Thus, there has been provided an improved livestock water tank control apparatus which automatically provides heated drinking water. Further, heater means are included in the apparatus for heating the apparatus itself so that it does not freeze in cold weather. Thermostats are, also, provided which may be incorporated into the apparatus for controlling the water temperature and the temperature within the interior of the apparatus housing.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for controlling livestock water tanks comprising removable, closed housing means arranged to be mounted in a tank from the top edge thereof and extend down into the tank a predetermined distance, said housing means being arranged to partially extend into water at its desired depth in the tank and maintain the interior of said housing means dry; conduit means for conducting water from a water supply through said housing to an outlet discharging into the tank on which said housing means is mounted; selectivel actuated valve means mounted in said housing means an in said conduit means having a normally closed position for controlling the flow of water in said conduit means; water level detector means mounted in said housing with a lower inlet admitting water to said detector means, said level detector means arranged to produce a control signal at water levels below said desired depth; said valve means being actuated to its open position in response to said control signal; first heating means mounted in said housing means for heating said valve means and said level detector means; and second heating means depending downwardly from said housing for heating water in the tank.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first heating means is an electric light bulb.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said water level detector means is a float-actuated detector mounted in a tube communicating with said inlet, providing a small volume of water internally of said housing means.

4. Apparatus according to claim I wherein said second heating means is controlled by a thermostat extending into the water in the tank.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said valve means is a solenoid-operated valve and said control signal is an electrical signal. 

1. Apparatus for controlling livestock water tanks comprising removable, closed housing means arranged to be mounted in a tank from the top edge thereof and extend down into the tank a predetermined distance, said housing means being arranged to partially extend into water at its desired depth in the tank and maintain the interior of said housing means dry; conduit means for conducting water from a water supply through said housing to an outlet discharging into the tank on which said housing means is mounted; selectively actuated valve means mounted in said housing means and in said conduit means having a normally closed position for controlling the flow of water in said conduit means; water level detector means mounted in said housing with a lower inlet admitting water to said detector means, said level detector means arranged to produce a control signal at water levels below said desired depth; said valve means being actuated to its open position in response to said control signal; first heating means mounted in said housing means for heating said valve means and said level detector means; and second heating means depending downwardly from said housing for heating water in the tank.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first heating means is an electric light bulb.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said water level detector means is a float-actuated detector mounted in a tube communicating with said inlet, providing a small volume of water internally of said housing means.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second heating means is controlled by a thermostat extending into the water in the tank.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said valve means is a solenoid-operated valve and said control signal is an electrical signal. 